Hug High teen dies on 16th birthday

RENO, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) -- A local family is relying on their faith to help them heal after the loss of their teenage son last week.

Mufasa Ousley's parents describe him as a silly, happy young man with big dreams. but an inflammation in his heart caused him to collapse in September. After getting treatment and receiving a clean bill of health in late January, a second collapse took his life just a few days later.

"Here you have a healthy guy one day and the next day he's gone," said Mufasa's Dad Donald Clay.

Donald says the Hug High sophomore was always trying to make the world a better place.

"He wanted to feed a multitude of people," Donald said. "He wanted to be a scientist. He wanted to cure Alzheimer's Disease."

A bright future, but it was cut short. Mufasa collapsed while walking to a friend's house and died on his 16th birthday.

"Mufasa was a blessing," Donald said. "For 16 years he was a blessing."

For his 16th birthday he decided to get a tattoo, a biblical one with a foreshadowing message.

"He got 'Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take," said Mufasa's mom Estorica.

"If he [knew something was going to happen], he didn't tell me, but he didn't like for me to worry either," Estorica said. "Him doing that, wanting to do that. Maybe he knew."

Estorica says Mufasa was different after the first collapse in September, thankful for a second chance at life.

"He started just loving everybody even harder," Estorica said.

Especially his six year old sister - who reminds their mom they'll be together again someday.

"She says momma he's flying in the sky," Estorica said. "We're going to be up there with him. She says don't cry, and she'll tell you quick 'Fasa don't want you crying.'"

Estorica says it was hard not to smile when Mufasa was around and they're trying to remember that now that he's gone.

"The world lost a great one when they lost Mufasa," Donald said.

A memorial fund has been set up in Estorica's name to help the family cover the costs of Mufasa's memorial services. If you'd like to help, you can make a donation at any Bank of America branch to account number 501015025922.

Mufasa Ousley's memorial service will be Saturday, February 16. A viewing will be held at 3:00 p.m. with the service following at 5:00 p.m. at O'Brien-Rogers & Crosby funeral home, 600 W. 2nd Street.